Grade finishing machine



March 30, 1943,

D. M. MANNINQ GRADE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 13, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheetl March 30, 1943 D. M. MANNING GRADE FINISHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 13,1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 30, 1943' UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE,

GRADE FINISHING MACHINE Dave M. Manning, Hysham, Mont.

Application January 13, 1942, Serial No. 426,625

Claims. (CL 37-180) This invention relates to a grade finishing machine,and it is a particular object of the invention to provide a machine ofthis kind which operates as a land leveler and to finish and levelchoppy or uneven rough grades where machines of shorter wheelbase havebeen working.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine of this kindwhich is of considerable length, yet capable of turning within a shortradius, and wherein the machine is of a character not to drag on theground.

It is a particular object of the invention to pro-r vide a machine ofthis kind of considerable length and which is provided at its opopsiteend portions with ground engaging members together with substantiallycentrally arranged ground engaging members carried by a floating axle,and wherein said floating axle and ground' engaging means carriedthereby provide means for raising one end portion of the machine tofacilitate turning.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of thiskind including a centrally arranged floating axle carrying groundengaging members together with means for raising and lowering said axleas desired, and whereintension means are provided for urging said axletoward the ground surface.

'The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved gradefinishing machine whereby certain important advantages are attained, aswill be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein: a

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a grade finishing machine inadjustment for leveling a ground surface, an associated tractor beingdiagrammatically indicated;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the machine in asecond adjustment for tuming or for transportation from one operation toanother;

Figure 3 is a view in top plan of the machine as herein comprised;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 4& of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the structure asillustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 ofFigure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the lineI'-! of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view, taken substantially on the line8-8 of Figure 7, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially onthe line 9-9 of Figure 3.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, B denotes the body of themachine which is of considerable length. This body B includes the sidebeams I having their forward portions 2 in con vergence. These beams Ieach comprises an elongated upper member a substantially coplanar fromend to end and a lower member b. This member b has its opposite endportions downwardly inclined on a predetermined angle toward the centerportion of the beam I with the extremities of the members a and brigidly connected, as by welding or otherwise as may be preferred. andb, in a well-known manner, are the reinforcing or bracing diagonals ortrusses 3.

V The beams I of the body B are effectively maintained in desired spacedassembly by the interposed crossed members 4 and the rear end crossmember 5. Carried by the rear end portion of the body B at the cornersthereof are'the caster wheels 6 which provide a supporting means for therear of the body B, and particularly when the machine is in workingadjustment.

Carried by the forward extremity of the body vB and underlying the sameis a transversely disposed axle l carrying the ground wheels 8 forcontact with the ground surface to provide support for the forward endof the machine. The axle I has o'peratively engaged therewith, in anydesired manner, a hitch bar 9 adapted to be coupled, as at Ill, to therear end of a tractor or the like.

the rear portion of a plate I I receives an extremi- I ty of a stubshaft It. This shaft I2 is of desired length and is also disposedthrough the suitably positioned ears it carried by and extending rear-Interposed between the members a As is particularly illustrated inFigure 3 of the space between the members 17 of both of the Y beams I.the body B and there is one of these shafts I2 at each side of themachine; Welded or otherwise rigidly secured to each end of the beam isan upstanding flat side arm 16, the bottom portion upper extendedportion of the arm I6 is an elon-' gated shank 20. This shank isforwardly directed and is freely disposed through an upstanding bracket2| carried by the adjacent upper member a and threading upon this shank20, at opposite sides of the bracket 2| and contacting therewith, arethe holding nuts 22. By manipulation of these nuts 22 the arm l8 may beswung This stub shaft l2 extends inwardly of rearwardly as desired andefiectively locked in se- I lected adjustment.

The upper portion of the arms l6 are connected by the interposedI-member23 and also by an intermediate Iqmember 24. It is believed to be obviousthat the members I5, 23 and 24 connect the arms l6 and are so designedand positioned one with respect to the other to provide for the desiredmounting for the scraper blade S. This blade S may be welded orotherwise rigidly secured to the members I5, 231 and 24 and the blade Sis of a length to substantially bridge the space between the plates II.The arms l6 are tilted when desired to effect the desired adjustment ofthe blade S, and it is believed to be apparent that when the machine isin operation the plates ll serve to box in the blade to keep the dirtfrom spilling at the sides of the machine or at the ends of the blade S.

Pivotally engaged with the shafts l2 are the lower end portions of theupwardly and rearwardly disposed arms 25. These arms 25 converge towardtheir outer or upper ends with said end portions formed to provide asolid outer extremity 26 provided therethrough with an opening 21. Thesearms 25 provide whatmay be termed a vertically swinging and rearwardlydisposed boom.

The lower portion of each of the arms 25 is provided with a dependingbearing 28 which provides a mounting for a transversely disposedfloating axle 29. This axle 29 extends beyond opposite sides of the boomand the extremities of the axle 29 have mounted thereon the groundengaging wheels 30. When the boom is raised the weight of the machine issubstantially carried by the 'wheels 8 and 8, but when it is desired tomake a turn and also in transporting the machine from one location tothe other the boom is swung downwardly, resulting in the raising of therear portion of the body B, as illustrated in Figure 2, to elevate theblade S up out of working position with respect to the road or groundsurface. In this adjustment the transportation of the machine ismaterially'facilitated and it is with the further advantage thatadesired turn can be made in a much reduced radius.

The outer or solid end portion 28 of the boom has suitably anchoredthereto, as at 3|, an end portion of a downwardly and rearwardlydisposed retractile member 32 of desired tension. This member 32constitutes a coil spring and has secured to its lowerend portion anelongated flexig 2,314,888 wardly from an I-beam l 5 substantiallybridgingble member 33. This member 33 constitutes a chain and isthreaded through an upwardly and forwardly inclined tubular member orsleeve 34 of desired length and which is rigidly carried by the body B,and preferably directly held by the overlying portions of the rearcrossed members 4. The lower end portion of this sleeve 34 has securedexteriorly thereto a downwardly disposed shank 35. This shank 35 is of alength to extend beyond the lower end of the sleeve 34, and it freelypasses through an opening 35 in an end portion of a lock plate 31,said-plate being held against the lower adjacent end of the sleeve 34 bythe holding nut 38 threading upon the shank 35 below the adjacent endportion of the plate 31 and having direct contact from below with saidplate.

The plate 31 in one end portion is provided with a longitudinallydisposed open slot 39 whereby the plate may readily straddle a link 0comprised within the chain 33 to allow said plate 31 to coact with thelink immediately therebelow to hold the chain 33 in desired selectedadjustment in order to regulate the tension of the spring 32.

The spring 32 serves to constantly urge the ground engaging members 30toward the road or ground surface, yet allows the members or wheels 30to readily raise upon coming into contact with any undue obstruction intheir path of travel. It is also to be pointed out that the spring 32upon proper regulation as to tension, by shortening or lengthening themember or chain 33, serves to transfer any desired part of the weight ofthe machine from the rear caster wheels 6 to the members or wheels 30;The resilient action upon the members or wheels 30 also allow the casterwheels 8 to follow the ground contours under normal operatingconditions.

When it is desired to make a turn or to transport the machine from onelocality to another the rear portion of the machine is raised byimposing downward pull uponthe boom, and in the present embodiment of myinvention means are provided for this purpose which is operated from thetractor T or other motor for operating themachine. The lower members bof the beams l are also connected by the interposed crossed members 40which underlie the crossed members 4 connecting the upper members a ofthe beams i. lower crossed members 40 are connected by a strut 4| towhich is anchored an end portion of a flexible member or cable 42. Thiscable. extends upwardly and over a pulley 43 rotatably carried by thesolid outer extremity 26 of the boom'and positioned within the opening21. I

The cable 42 extends downwardly from the pulley 43 and under a pulley 44mounted on a shaft 45. The shaft 45 is supported by the bearings 46depending at desired points from the crossed members 40. The flexiblemember or cable 42 extends from the pulley 44 over a guide pulley 41rotatably mounted upon the central portion of the upper I-beam 23. Theflexible member or cable 42 extends from this pulley 41 to a windingdrum 48 carried by the tractor T orkindred motor- Theoperation of thewinding drum 48 is to be effected and controlled in any desired mannerand upon rotation of said drum 48 in one direction the boom will bepulled downwardly with resultant contact of the members or wheels 30with the road or ground surface in a manner to elevate the rear portionof the body B as desired to facilitate making a turn or to transport themachine from one locality to another.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed to be The rear apparent thatthe machine as herein disclosed can be employed to a particularadvantage as a land leveler, and particularly to finish and level choppyor uneven earth grades where machines of shorter wheelbase have beenworking. It is further to be pointed out that the machine operates onsomewhat the same principle as a jackplane and that the material lengthof the machine in connection with the various adjustable featuresherein-before set forth makes it possible to level land to a planesurface regardless of irregularities or unevenness of the land to beleveled.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a gradefinishing machine constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

l. A machine of the class described comprising an elongated body. groundengaging supporting members carried by the opposite end portions of thebody, a scraper blade carried by the body at the central part thereofand disposed transversely thereof, a boom pivotally connected at one endwith the rear side of the blade for vertical swinging movement, saidboom being disposed rear wardly of the transverse center of the body,an'

axle carried by the boom rearwardly of the pivotal support'for the boomand disposed transversely of the body, ground engaging supporting wheelscarried by said axle, and tensioned means operatively connecting theother end of the boom with the body and constantly urging swinging ofthe boom downwardly. I

2. A ground scraping machine of the class described comprising a bodyincluding side beams, means for maintaining said beams in spacedrelation, ground, engaging supporting members for the frame, platescarried by opposed faces of the, beams, an elongated blade supportingstructure disposed transversely of the machine between said plates,pivot means connecting said structure with the body for tilting movementon an axis extending transversely of the machine in close proximity tothe ground, a scraper blade carried by said supporting structure, thesaid axis lying well below the longitudinal center of the blade, theplates providing means to prevent spilling of dirt laterally from theends of the blade, and means for holding the supporting structure in aselected tilted position.

3. An earth leveling machine comprising an elongated frame having spacedvertical side portions, ground engaging supporting members at each ofthe two ends of the frame, an earth scraping blade disposedperpendicular to the length of the frame and between the two sideportions thereof, a supporting means for said blade pivotally attachedto the side portions of the frame adjacent the bottom edge of the bladefor oscillation of the blade on an axis extending transversely of theframe, means for maintaining the blade in an operative position, a boompivotally connected at one end with the blade supporting means andextending upwardly and rearwardly from the blade for oscillation on theaxis of oscillation of the blade, ground engaging supporting wheelspivotally mounted upon the boom at an elevation above the oscillationaxis for the boom and blade, a yieldable means operatively coupling theother end of the boom with the frame and normally maintaining the boomin a predetermined position with respect to the frame,

and means for effecting the vertical oscillation of the boom to bringsaid wheels into contact with the ground for the raising of the rear endof the frame.

4. An earth leveling structure of the character set forth in claim 3,wherein the said blade maintaining means operatively couples the bladeadjacent its top edge with the frame for oscillating the blade upon thepivotal supporting means thereforand secures the oscillated blade inworking position. 7

5. An earth leveling structure as set forth in claim 3, with a paneldisposed vertically upon each side of the frame and across each end ofsaid blade, said panels and the blade therebetween forming an earthreceptacle.

6. .An earth leveling machine of the character stated comprising anelongated frame including spaced parallel side portions, each of saidside portions including upper and lower rails, a vertically disposed armupon the inner side of each side portion of the frame substantially atthe transverse center thereof, said arms being in the same planetransversely of the frame, a pivotal coupling between the lower end ofeach arm and the adjacent lower rail, connecting means between the armsand extending transversely of the frame, a boom connected at one endbysaid pivotal connecting means with the lower rail of the side portionsof the frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly with respect to thearms, a scraper blade extending transversely between said frame sideportions and supported by said arms for-' wardly of the pivotalsupporting means, means for maintaining the blade in an operativeposition, an axle supported by and extending transversely of the boom ata substantial elevation above the pivotal supporting means, groundengaging wheels carried by said axle, a yieldable means operativelycoupling the other end of the boom with the frame, and means forswinging the said other end of the boom downwardly for th engagement ofthe wheels with the ground and the lifting of the rear end of the frame.

'7. A ground leveling structure as set forth in claim 6, with meanscarried by each side portion of the frame'to extend across the adjacentend of the scra'per blade to form with the scraper blade an earthreceiving receptacle.

8. An earth leveling structure as set forth in claim 6, with a platesecured against movement upon eachQside portion of the frame to extendacross the adjacent end of the scraper blade, the plate forming with thescraper blade an earth receiving receptacle, and the said blademaintaining means being additionally adapted for efiecting theoscillation of the blade upon the pivotal supports.

9. An earth leveling machine comprising an elongated frame havingvertical side portions of substantial height, ground engaging supportingmembers at the two ends of the frame, an earth scraping blade disposedtransversely of the frame between the two side portions thereof, meansdisposed rearwardly of th blade at each end and adjacent the bottom edgeof the blade pivotally coupling the blade to the frame for oscillationon a transverse axis, means for securing the blade frame, groundengaging wheels carried upon theaxle, and means operatively coupling theother end of the boom with the frame.

5 bolt to its zuide means.

said bolts extending substantially longitudinally of the frame, a guidemeans for each bolt carried by the adjacent side portion of the frame,and means for longitudinally adjustably securing each nAvEM. MANNmG.

